Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of Them All?
Every day, the evil queen asks her magic mirror this question to reassure herself that she is still the fairest and most beautiful of them all. Many of us grew up reading or watching the famous Snow White story as children. The queen, plagued by insecurity, sought constant validation from the mirror. She created her own competition by allowing herself to be compared to others, striving to be the fairest of them all.
Such a standard is impossible to meet, because being “the fairest” is inherently subjective, shaped by taste and personal opinion. Her lack of self-confidence blinded her to her own value; instead, she saw herself through the eyes of others, through the mirror.
In today’s corporate world, we all face two mirrors:
• One reflects how we see and measure ourselves.
• The other reflects how others perceive our value.
Knowing your personal brand essence, and living up to it, while ensuring others see you through those same values, allows you to meet or exceed your brand perception both internally and externally.
We subconsciously assess and categorize others, treating them based on our assumptions, whether accurate or not. Thus, how we project ourselves, through our presence, achievements, and interactions, shapes how others perceive us. In other words, we control the narrative. Only when our self-awareness aligns with our values can we ensure that the person reflected in the world’s mirror is the same as the one behind it.
You, the person behind the mirror, must know your worth in the corporate world. That worth is measured by your skillset, achievements, attitude, and impact. You must learn to reflect that value outwardly so others see you as you see yourself.
The real challenge arises when others see you as more capable than you see yourself. This gap signals a lack of confidence and self-trust. Your boss or colleagues may believe in your potential, while you hesitate. In such cases, it’s time to urgently revisit your self-awareness, values, and daily standards.
There are several ways to ensure the person behind the mirror matches the one others see. It begins with conscious awareness. Techniques like cultivating an alter ego can help overcome insecurities and build confidence, which is something I wrote about extensively in a previous post titled “Be Like Superman.”
Here are a few steps to consider:
• Have an Executive Mentor
Someone who can serve as your compass, reflect your inner strengths, and help you realize them.
• Self-Assessment Exercises
Use online tools or simply write things down. Ideas often sound different in our heads than they do on paper—writing increases clarity and self-awareness.
• Expand Your Horizon
Read a book, take a course, and work on defining your life mission, values, and objectives.
As the FII conference drew to a close last week, I finally had time to pause and reflect. A few nights ago, I had dinner with a close friend, someone I also consider a mentor. He praised the success of FII6 and my leadership in delivering such a mammoth event.
Naturally, I downplayed my role, trying to remain modest. But my humility prompted him to challenge me. He asked me to look into the mirror and truly see what I had accomplished—to recognize the magnitude and impact of FII.
So I urge you: stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself. Who do you see?
“I’m gonna make a change,
For once in my life,
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference,
Gonna make it right.”
—Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror
